D2D Fund

D2D Fund is working to improve the financial decision-making skills of low-to-moderate income households by marrying the fun of video games with financial education. Our detailed assessment of the field indicates that current efforts to teach financial literacy through video games have been unsuccessful in finding the right balance between fun and education. Many end-products in this space are:

• Very complex simulations that can “play” like operating personal finance software in a video game;
• Flashy graphics and audio surrounding a multi-choice quiz type presentation of facts and important data.

This multi-year project envisions a library of “casual games” each teaching a discrete, simple lesson. Traditionally, casual games are made for a mass audience, but the strongest demographic is female players.

What do we mean when we say “casual financial literacy video game”? We mean video games that use a cross-platform technology (e.g., Flash), have very simple rules and play techniques, and teach an important financial lesson.

In "Debt Dash: Punctuality Challenge", players experience making timely payments in order to avoid late fees and other charges. In early levels, the denomination of the falling bills is larger and the breadth of payments is smaller. As the player gains experience, the denominations shrink and the number of payments increases. Players must keep a close eye on the "Debt Tank" to protect against an overflow.

In “Credit Mix-Up: The Healthy Credit Mix Game,” classic concentration meets Vegas-style poker. Players test their memory skills in a fast-paced game of debt concentration. Once all the cards are uncovered or time runs out, players pick a 5-card poker hand. Which cards will make for a “healthy” debt mix? How much will you bet on it? As the player gains experience and success, additional forms of debt are added to the mix and the house becomes a tougher poker opponent.

In "Balancing Act: The Minimum Balance Game", players are challenged to pay off more than the minimum balance on their credit card. As the players' skill grows, the Late Payment Fee, Finance Charge, and High APY monsters start to impact the players' choices. A player must learn to pay off more than the minimum balance on a consistent basis in order to weaken these monsters.